To say I've got my winter wardrobe sorted?

[BlueWorkDay]

46, size 16, basically the archetypal middle class, middle aged, working mum.

I wouldn't call it a 'capsule' wardrobe, but I think I'm at a stage where I don't need anything different, so any future purchases are just replacements for what I have.

Here's what it comprises:

Four pairs of near identical Sweaty Betty ankle cuffed yoga pants (all black). Not too sporty, can be worn day to day.

8 or so thin under layers in black or cream (largely uniqlo heat tech).

4 round neck cashmere jumpers (from M&S or Cashmere and Cotton). In black, electric blue, brown, and beige.

One pair of wide leg dark navy jeans.

One pair of ankle cuffed mum style jeans.

One pair black cigarette trousers.

One boxy cardigan (oatmeal).

Three mock turtleneck jumpers (one black, one navy, one grey).

One ski style puffer.

One Sweaty Betty waterproof trench coat.

One tailored wool coat.

Two cashmere snoods.

I do have other clothes, but so far this winter I've basically worn this on rotation.

Your wardrobe sounds ok, I would have less yoga pants but it depends on your life style.
I would be sort of careful about tops with higher neckline. I was always size 12 and had quite a few of them but then at perimenopause my breast size increased, I also couldn’t wear high neckline tops any more due to feeling too hot and claustrophobic in them.
It might not be your problem at all but I have to get rid of 2 cashmere jumpers, 2 cashmere cardigans, 2 coats and multiple sort of tops practically at once for this reason ☹️

That’s not for me, but I’m glad it works for you. A lot of people really don’t suit black or white. I like warm colours, especially oranges and corals. I also love dresses and skirts, I rarely wear trousers. I have some yoga pants from BAM, which are lovely and comfortable, but I wouldn’t wear them out the house. I love clothes, and would hate to limit myself to no colour, or dresses - warm bright silk vests are a staple for me. I see clothes as an expression, something creative.

It wouldn't work for me, but glad you feel content OP. I need bright colours (been difficult to find these in the shops for years now) and I do a lot of manual work so effectively need three wardrobes- one with cloves i don't mind getting ruined, one casual smart, and one fancy.

Which yoga pants do you buy from Sweaty Betty @BlueWorkDay ?

Ive done capsule wardrobes before. It’s a very interesting concept. I limited patterns & I felt very chic. Problem is, I feel different daily. Sometimes I want to feel chic & together, sometimes I want to feel comfy & cute. Right now I’m enjoying cute & comfy so on Boxing Day for example I wore wide leg check trousers (Oliver Bonas) & a jumper with a dog wearing glasses (Zara kids).

Personally, I’d find that a very boring wardrobe but we’re all different. As long as it works for you.

I have a wardrobe app on my phone. It was a bit of work setting it all up but now it’s just easy to add something as I buy it. You can edit outfits and save them all, which I find really useful as I used to be so bad for “forgetting” I had certain items or getting something that didn’t really work with anything else. Now I just look on my phone in the evening to see what I want to wear the next day. If I see something I might want to buy it’s easy to check if I already have something similar or whether it would work with what I do have.

I love clothes and I am determined in 2026 to wear all of my nice things! I wfh so I’d fallen into a bit of rut of just chucking something on.

The best ones were called "Gary", but they are discontinued (sometimes available in the sales), the replacements are called "Gaia" slightly wider in the leg and slightly deeper ankle cuff.

Gaia are still pretty good. But not as perfect as Gary.

I don't think I've ever wanted to feel cute 🤣 I like that look on other people, but I'm very uncute as a person.

In my 20's and 30's I loved structural clothes, it was the era of Viktor and Rolf and Roland Mouret high-tailoring (2010 ish). My style icon was Mombi (from Return to Oz).

I went through a lull in my 30's and became one of those classic Boden and Joules mums, I owned wellybobs, it was a dark time for fashion for me 😆

I imagine fashion as a three point triangle: comfort, confidence, and fun.

I'm deep into the comfort and confidence elements now, though I do have some fun pieces (largely accessories or a fun jacket). Other than that, 85% of the time I wear the items in my OP, with the addition of a blazer, a shell top, or similar that aren't specific to my winter wardrobe.

What a polite answer to a mean and rudely phrased question. I'm the same OP, love fashion but will mainly prioritise good quality basics.

Also thanks for this thread, OP. We're similar age and style by the sounds of it. I'm a 12-14 atm, losing weight so hopefully I'll be more comfortable soon, I'm not tall enough for my current size. I really feel like I've lost my fashion mojo since having kids, putting some weight on, the pandemic and changing jobs (meaning I don't necessarily need to be all smart and tailored daily). Many shops have disappeared too and the quality in the remaining ones has decreased IMO. So it's interesting to find a thread like this one.

Thank you 😍

Most of the "fashion" people I know (those who've gone on to be stylists, garment designers, textile designers, buyers etc.) Are pretty much the same, we know what is "in" but we also know what we like, and the two don't always correlate.

Ha I even wore my hair in bunches with the dog jumper look 😂 Christmas Day I wore dungarees! But usually I’m in comfy wide leg trousers (always an elastic waist - M&S are my least flattering but most comfy, I have lovely ones from Zara) and a cropped jumper. Currently a 8/10 so I’m wary that I might not be wearing the most flattering silhouette.

I don't believe you.
one top?!

The Jones and Smith site is dodgy.

Review summary
Based on reviews, created with AI
Most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Customers express widespread dissatisfaction with the company's product quality, often describing it as substandard. Consumers also report issues with the return policy, particularly the high costs and complications associated with returning items to China. Many people report the items received do not match the website's descriptions. Consumers highlight concerns about delivery services, with some noting longer-than-expected delivery times. Regarding order fulfillment, some reviewers mention issues such as receiving incorrect items or experiencing delays.See less

Yet you wear cuffed yoga pants.

Same! I’ve just downsized and had to get a storage unit for mine 🤣

You would be shocked at my wardrobe. 2 room length wardrobes and out of season in storage. I use an app to know what I have. Over 40 coats. Numerous knee high boots. Bags and accessories galore. I love clothes and choosing what to wear each day. It makes me happy 😊

the clothing equivalent of the mumsnet chicken

46, size 16, basically the archetypal middle class, middle aged, working mum.

Okay I am confused. I’m probably going to cause offence here but I genuinely don’t mean to, I’m just responding to a quite direct quote from OP above.

to me it seems contradictory to describe yourself as archetypal middle class whilst being size 16. I think being overweight generally isn’t associated with middle class.

One top? Surely you need more than that, it must be so faded from repeated washing.

Christ alive. What kind of things do you say when you DO want to cause offence?

OP has gone out of their way to describe themselves as archetypal, there was no other way to word that. I genuinely didn’t realise that the average middle class Brit was size 16, my assumption was svelte

Everyone i know who works in or has worked in fashion (and it's a good number) are minimalist, chic dressers. I love what she's described and also live in a rotation of cashmere sweaters and long sleeve tees. I'm more of a wide legged trouser person.

I have 60 summer dresses! I won’t list all my other stuff!